Welcome to PQA Bradley Stoke

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Hello, my name is Dave, and I am Principal of PQA Bradley Stoke, which is held at Bradley Stoke Community School, a modern school with great facilities and plenty of space.

We operate every Saturday from 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Our lovely Poppets (ages 4-5) are with us at two sessions during the morning.

At PQA Bradley Stoke, our first and foremost aim is to build confidence as well as ability, for each and every student - regardless of whether they have any experience in the performing arts or not.

I am proud to have witnessed the personal growth of many students who started out believing they lacked ability or confidence, and I believe this results from huge enjoyment from their classes, along with being encouraged to develop their talents without pressure.

We have lots of exciting opportunities and events to look forward to as well, including a chance to enter the PQA Film festival, which gives students an amazing chance to see their own film project on the big screen in Leicester Square, London.

We offer Masterclasses from various professionals ranging from Street Dance to Mask workshops, storytelling, stage make-up etc. - each topic adding to the students abilities and also great fun to do. We are currently working towards our West End Show called Trouble's A Brewin', which PQA Bradley Stoke will perform on stage in London's West End.

There's never a dull moment and always something new and exciting to be added, so please contact us for a FREE taster session to see for yourself what we can offer.

How to book your FREE taster session...

We always recommend a free taster session with us. It helps any prospective student and parent know what PQA is all about and what to expect. Our taster days give your child a chance to join in all three classes whilst parents are encouraged to stay for refreshments, view the classes and the academy by the Principal, and offers the chance to ask any questions you may have.

We aim for your taster day to be an enjoyable visit to see what wonderful opportunities and training our students are offered, in a welcoming family type community.

Meet the Team

Dave Verey - Principal

My background is mainly in sport- firstly playing football for many years,then training to be a football coach, it is this experience that prepared me to work with students of various ages,and which I now put into practice with managing PQA Bradley Stoke,as I have done since 2009.

Two of my three children are involved in performing arts ( both feature on PQA Bradley Stoke web page) and I feel many years of watching performances and making several journeys to auditions, (and even chaperoning on a few jobs) have enabled me in my role as Principal to converse with parents and students who are hoping to do the same thing.

I have always enjoyed all aspects of performance and embraced the opportunity to become more involved when I was offered the chance to run PQA Bradley Stoke, which I've thoroughly enjoyed doing for the past four years.

Leanne - Musical Theatre / PM Vice Principal

Leanne trained at Performers College, graduating in Professional dance and Musical Theatre. Whilst training she gained teaching qualifications in ISTD Modern and Tap dance, whilst teaching drama to children at a local theatre school in Essex. The intense four years of training at Performers included various styles of dance (including ballet, tap, modern technique, all jazz styles, contemporary, partner work, choreography and commercial dance), singing (including ensemble and harmony work, practical musicianship and recording experience), Musical Theatre and Drama. Throughout her training she was lucky enough to learn from some of the best in the industry and perform at great venues in London. She was dance captain for her final year productions of 'I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change' and 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'. After graduating, Leanne took The London Actors Workshop course where she trained with professional actors, directors and casting directors and closed the final showcase with her performance at The Cockpit Theatre in London.

Theatre credits include endless pantomimes at The Bristol Hippodrome, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, 'Aladdin', 'Dick Whittington' and 'Jack and The Beanstalk' at The Theatre Royal, Bath (all for UK Productions) and many cabarets and award ceremonies at The Grosvenor Hotel, London. TV experience includes a few short films and commercials. She also currently works travelling the UK (and the world) as a backing dancer for the UK's top Madonna tribute act.

Leanne started teaching masterclasses for PQA in 2008, started as Musical Theatre teacher at Bradley Stoke when it opened in 2009 and also taught at PQA Cheltenham when they opened their PM academy. She now continues to teach at Bradley Stoke in the morning as well as in their afternoon academy and help set up the holiday academy in Barbados with Virgin Holidays, where she often enjoys teaching in the school holidays. She particularly enjoys choreographing for the students and her PQA highlights are seeing her students perform her work at The Bristol Hippodrome and at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, as well as choreographing an advert in which one of her own students (and Quirky Kid) starred in!

Fred - Film & Television

I am a filmmaker by trade, working freelance to create all types of film from fiction, to documentary, to promotional or live music. My work has been seen all over the world, and been screened in various film festivals.

I came to work with PQA with an aim to share my passion for film making with the next generation. It's a great atmosphere, and with such motivated pupils. I don't think I could enjoy the job anymore!

I hope to teach the students the nuts and bolts of how to make their own films, how to perform to camera, and how to express their own ideas and stories through the medium of film.

Rob - Comedy & Drama

I trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, during which time I also developed a love of teaching young people as part of the Activ-8 group.

During my training, I was recommended as cover for PQA Bristol, working alongside Trish, before becoming a regular teacher at PQA Bradley Stoke.

As Elliot Chapman, my theatre credits include: the UK tour of 'Yes Prime Minster', 'Stone Cold' at The Mill at Sonning, a South West tour of Arthur Miller's 'Two Way Mirror', Shakespeare in rep ('Measure for Measure', 'Two Gentleman of Verona' and 'Macbeth'), plus shows in and around Bristol including, 'Outside' at The Brewery Theatre, 'The Good Soul of Szechuan' at the Bristol Old Vic Studio, 'Time and the Conways' at Circomedia and most recently  'Look Back in Anger' at The Alma Theatre.

I have recently been cast as 'Doctor Who' companion Ben Jackson (alongside Frazer Hines and Anneke Wills from the original 1960s series) on the audio range 'Doctor Who  The Early Years', produced by Big Finish Productions under licence from the BBC.

On television, I appeared in 'The Fear' opposite Peter Mullan and will be shooting a TV comedy pilot in January 2015.

My aim is to teach children and young people the techniques and craft of acting and performance at a young age to give them an early start in honing their abilities as actors. Lessons should be fun but underpinned by proven methods so that students can, if they choose, slot into any area of the industry, be it acting for commercials, screen, theatre, in comedy, radio, or corporate media.

Leah - Poppets

I am currently in my second year of training at Bath Spa University studying Musical Theatre.

I am training in acting, singing (including contemporary, rock, opera, lyrical and jazz) and also various styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Modern and many styles of Jazz.

I am a part of the Disabled Children's Team in North Somerset and have been working 1 to 1 with many children with a variety of needs for 4 years; mostly children aged 2 to 18. Through this I have gained a great deal of experience with children that have complex mental, physical, emotional and behavioural needs.

I began with PQA Bradley Stoke in January 2013 as a Red Group Member where I was a part of the Musical Theatre shows; Fright Night, Thoroughly Marvellous Musicals and For The Love Of Musicals. I then became a Classroom Assistant mostly shadowing the Green Group in the afternoon session at PQA Bradley Stoke since the Academy opened.

I also teach on a voluntary basis at a number of community Theatre Groups in the local area, and through this have gained a great deal of experience with teaching different age groups as well as different ability levels.

I am so excited to work with the PQA Bradley Stoke Poppets and will be working with them towards all of their shows while watching them flourish into young performers.

Alex - Drama

I joined PQA Bradley Stoke in 2014 as drama cover and absolutely loved it. When Dave gave me the chance to start teaching the class full-time, I leapt at the opportunity.

I graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2016 and am now working as a freelance actor, in theatre and audio, both in Bristol and further afield.

I love being able to share what I have learnt (and am still learning) with the young people here. Their energy and creativity always surprises me and never fail to brighten my Saturdays.

I try to centre the work I do at PQA around the kids' ideas and let them take a leading role as much as possible. I think it's so important that children and young people be encouraged creatively, to be told that their ideas are just as valid as anyone else's and, most importantly, to be given a space to explore their creativity away from the stresses and pressures of school.

Jordan - Academy Assistant

Jordan was a student with PQA Bradley Stoke from age 11- 18 and throughout his years at PQA Bradley Stoke, he has gained tremendous experience with all aspects of performing arts. From live performances in The West End,The Bristol Hippodrome and The Redgrave Theatre, besides the many showcases he has been involved in at College.He was also the very deserving winner of our STUDENT OF THE YEAR award in his final year.

Among many other projects, Jordan also writes for film and is involved with his own production company (CCE) whichhas produced a successful series-'WRITERS'. He studies at Bath Spa FDA in Performing Arts at weston college. PQA Bradley Stoke are very pleased and proud to have Jordan as a member of the PQA Team.